Charles Krauthammer employs his standard template: blaming Obama. In this case, he shoots himself in the foot by citing a long-standing trend of doctors complaining about paperwork and other interference from health insurers and the government, and then blaming it on Obamacare despite its being new to the scene.

He should ask why doctors are so late to the computer game. He should ask the doctors he talked to (Harvard grads of 40 years ago) to take some responsibility for the fact that while they were doing their “patient care” and “physician” work, Americans got sicker.

He should find out how much of their income was from unnecessary procedures or duplicate tests that resulted from not having an electronic record to consult. He should ask how doctors have allowed their insurance partners to take over their operations and create a nightmare of confusing cost standards that make it impossible for a consumer to know what they are paying and eventually to avoid doctors completely.

He should be skeptical of whoever told him the costs to computerize doctors’ office are “ruinous;” it’s 2015 and computers are a cost of doing business — get over it.

Krauthammer can criticize Obama each week, but Obama is not what has been disillusioning doctors for the past 20 years.

— Ed Dignan, Long Beach

Veterans struggle with combat drama

Re “How well is America serving its veterans?” (Question of the Week, May 20):

The mindset of veterans is hard to explain if you haven’t been there. Imagine growing up among family and friends, being taught to be kind, gentle and caring — a good person. Now imagine 13 weeks in basic training, being taught one thing: to kill.

And then if you go into battle, it’s a scar on the mindset that never goes away. The hardest part for me was coming home to find friends off at college, two years ahead of myself, now having to find new friends and a direction. After a few months of being homeless, a friend found me and gave me a place to stay. I used my GI Bill to become a respiratory therapist and worked for the VA at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.

I was one of the lucky ones. Twenty-five years at the VA taught me good and bad about fellow vets. One: it’s hard to resume a normal life after serving; you are alone and help is minimal. Two: many who work at the VA don’t care about who they are supposed to be helping. I’ve seen many employees blow off a veteran because they don’t care. Hiring more vets at the VA is paramount to a caring environment; it’s easy to help and give when you are connected.

— John G. Boyes, Long Beach

Don’t worry, no one is out to get us

Re “Is it paranoia, or are they out to get us?” (Question of the Week, May 26):

With all the “media” these days, it just seems like paranoia. I’m sure the media would like it to be. We live in America. The masses would not allow paranoia to exist. The three branches of government exist and would not allow such a thing.

However, Hollywood, via the movies, would be happy to show America in the state of paranoia. Even if we believe President Obama was not born in the United States, it would not happen. Our country is too strong. Every American should take part in all elections that are part and parcel of preventing paranoia. Sadly, this is not the case. However, enough Americans do vote to keep the U.S. from falling into the grip of paranoia.